Cold weather that included rain and then snow did not stop the Christmas Tour of Homes on Sunday. With over three hundred tickets sold, it was apparent that members of the community certainly have an interest in both old and new homes and churches decorated for the season.
The Christmas Tour of Homes is sponsored by The Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association. Members served as volunteers at each of the nine homes and two churches on this years tour. The Association was especially proud of the four homes on the tour that have Heritage Home Plaques. To be considered for a Heritage Home Plaque, a home or building has to have been built prior to the year 1901, must have its original lines still evident and its façade intact.
The home of Darrell and Pat Priddy at 439 E. High Ave. at New Philadelphia is a beautiful example of the popular Victorian Italianate style. This brick home was built in 1868 by Stephan and Amelia ODonnell. The original owner, Mr. O'Donnell, was president of the Citizens National Bank from 1882-1902. The house was later sold by the ODonnells to James and Anna Congleton who lived there for over 40 years. Mr. Congleton was the proprietor of the former Delphian Hotel and a broom manufacturer. The 4000 square-foot house had been converted into three apartments, but was restored to its original splendor by the Priddys. The home has 12 rooms with 11-foot ceilings, a wide foyer with open walnut stairway, 5 fireplaces, and leaded glass windows. Five Christmas trees, with a 10-foot tree in the living room, were decorated for the tour. Santas greeted guests in the entertainment room, snowmen in the mud room and Christmas décor was abundant in every other room in the house. This is the Heritage Home Associations newest Heritage Home to receive a plaque.
The home of David and Liz Hipp at 459 E. High Ave. at New Philadelphia was built in 1874 by Benjamin P. Scott, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania who came to New Philadelphia in 1868, where he first became involved in the hardware business and managed the sale of all salt made in the county. Later he was employed with the Citizen's National Bank, located on the NW corner of the square in New Philadelphia. He served as Vice President, Cashier, and in 1901 as President. Mr. Scott built the house for his second wife, Emma who he married in 1873. He died in 1915.
Liz & Dave purchased the house in November of 1998, and have been working hard to restore it ever since. The Hipps are the 3rd owner of the house. The 8-room brick Second Empire home boasts 12 foot ceilings on the first floor, 8½-inch molding surrounding the first floor doorways, 12 inch baseboards, and 4 fireplaces. A curved walnut staircase is the focal point of the foyer; arched double pocket doors separate the front parlor from the dining room, and there are some interior shutters. The front porch and porte-cochere are not original but were added before 1900. The house was splendidly decorated for Christmas taking one back to the era in which it was built.
Magnolia Manor Bed and Breakfast, the home of Carlos and Marlena Allen at 467 East High Ave. at New Philadelphia was built in 1881 by John and Mary Curry according to The Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association. The Currys were friends with The Scott family and moved to New Philadelphia from Pennsylvania. Mr. Curry was also in the banking business like his friend and neighbor, Mr. Scott. The home has three finished floors with 18 rooms including servants quarters and four bathrooms. Both a business and the home to the Allens, Magnolia Manor has a third floor guest suite with a private bath and can accommodate 2-4 guests and two second floor rooms that can accommodate two. Full breakfast is available to guests and the home is a fine meeting space for luncheons, teas, dinners and business meetings.
The Crowes Nest Bed and Breakfast formerly The Jacob Bair Home is now owned by innkeeper Patrick Crowe, at 521 N. Wooster Ave. at Dover. Built in 1881, this historic Italianate style home has been renovated to reflect Victorian colors common for in the era. This two-story brick home with more than 3,300 square feet has nine rooms, with three bedrooms available for guests and two baths. The bed and breakfast received its plaque from the association in 2007.
The Tuscarawas County Heritage Home Association is a non-profit Ohio corporation, tax-exempt under IRC section 501(c) (3). The Association is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of architecturally and historically significant homes and buildings located in Tuscarawas County. To date, 64 Tuscarawas County historic homes and buildings have been awarded Heritage Home Plaques, 20th Century Plaques, or Historic Markers by the association including the Tuscarawas County courthouse in New Philadelphia and Dovers historic Reeves Victorian Mansion.
